Eating for Evolution

Nuts.  I just love nuts. I love them as butters, in pates, raw, roasted, you name it, if it’s got a in it nut I’ll probably like it. They are by far one of my most favorite snacks that I like to have on hand, but all too often cross the line from a tasty treat into an unconscious chow down.  Nuts are dang tasty, and the fact that they are more nutritious for us than say… a candy bar or potato chips… making them a great thing to have on hand when the hunger comes on.   However, as we know nuts are dense little guys, packed full of rich oils that can, as has been my experience, be challenging on our digestive system.  And like the saying goes… too much of anything can be a bad thing.

Bringing it into the mind

It seems like we all have some unwholesome relationship with some food.  Be it nuts, or sugar, caffeine or dairy, no one seems to be completely free.  But as I have been observing and experimenting with there is a way out from the ring of cravings and addiction and it all starts with bringing it to mind.  Bringing our food not only to our mouths, but into our minds as well.  Distraction and perhaps plain ole laziness seem to be key factors in fueling our pathologies (food & otherwise…).  From my experience I’ve noticed that when I pay attention to the foods I’m more aware of how much I eat, when my body actually says I’m full and more conscious of how that food is being absorbed into my being- like how it’s affecting my body, thoughts, emotions and alertness. 

Limiting distractions while I’m eating is more than just taking time to sit at a table and eat, it also means that I stop giving the ramblings in my mind more attention than the food I’m putting in my mouth.  I’ve noticed in myself that this is where laziness creeps in.  I think many of us tend to be casual thinkers and have adopted the habit of just letting thoughts filter through our mind as they arise and we latch onto them one by one.  This is why one spoonful of almond butter can turn into several before really even noticing it.  Directing our attention to what we’re doing- eating!- is a great first step in changing our food habits to more wholesome ones.  I’ve also found learning about foods to be really helpful in expanding awareness.  Now whenever I eat nuts I’m reminded of an episode form the Renegade Health Show where Kevin was recounting his experience of having to crack open his own nuts that were just being picked from the fields.  He made the comment that if we all had to work that hard for our nuts we wouldn’t eat nearly the amounts we do! 

Forward bound!
Amber